The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

The return of Lan Yu to the capital marked the official end of the war in the southwest.

The greatest external threat to the Ming Dynasty is now the Northern Yuan!

The following day, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict.

Lan Yu was awarded an additional 500 shi of grain for his outstanding military achievements, while the other generals were also promoted and given higher ranks.

……

Imperial City.

Upon returning to the palace that day, Zhu Xiong Ying eagerly anticipated the gifts from his maternal uncle Lan and his uncle Mu.

Five days have passed, and there's still no sign of him.

It's hard not to suspect that the eunuch supervisor has become too bold to have missed his share.

According to the ancestral rules of the palace established by Emperor Zhu, items presented by officials from outside the capital must first be sent to the Office of Transmission.

Then, the Ministry of Rites' Office of Reception and Censorship, together with the Imperial Guard's gatekeepers, will verify the information...

Finally, the Directorate of Palace Attendants received the document and transferred it to the Bureau of Palace Attendants for Empress Ma to review and decide!

Until that afternoon.

After finishing his studies and leaving the main hall, Zhu Xiong Ying was preparing to go to the Huagai Hall.

Let's see if Lao Zhu has any free time to talk about that idea from the mining trip...

But just as he took a few steps, he was blocked by the chief eunuch of Kunning Palace.

"This servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"To be honest, Your Highness! Her Majesty the Empress has something to discuss with you, and specifically asked this old servant to wait here..."

"Is the Empress Dowager looking for me?"

He learned that Empress Ma had summoned him.

They even sent people to guard it early on!

Zhu Xiong Ying had some doubts.

What could be so urgent for his grandmother?

Seeing the eldest grandson of the emperor stop and look surprised.

Eunuch Liu approached and whispered, "Your Highness is unaware!"

"Around noon, Lady Yongchang, summoned to the palace by the Empress, has not yet left..."

In an instant, Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly realized something.

It turned out they had a guest at home—his great-aunt!

The moment this thought arose...

Then the eunuch added, "Furthermore, the gifts from the Marquis of Yongchang and the Marquis of Xiping, after being reviewed by Her Majesty, were moved into His Highness's bedchamber an hour ago!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the eunuch in front of him.

I don't know where.

Is this eunuch Liu so considerate and thoughtful because he's really eager to advance his career?

"Good job, Lao Liu! We'll remember you!"

He patted Old Liu on the shoulder and then headed towards the inner court.

Upon arriving at Kunning Palace, we stepped inside.

Empress Ma, seeing her beloved grandson, couldn't help but smile and say, "Xiong Ying is back! Come and meet your great-aunt!"

I saw the familiar middle-aged woman and the girl who looked about fifteen years old next to her.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly approached and bowed respectfully, saying, "Xiong Ying greets her maternal aunt! Greetings to her aunt!"

Indeed, that young lady is the daughter of my maternal uncle, Lan Yu!

Historically, she married Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu.

If he's not mistaken, today is the day to discuss marriage!

After all, his eleventh uncle is not young anymore, and in three to five years, he will be sent to a local post.

Every year during festivals, Empress Ma liked to invite the female relatives of her family to the palace for a lively celebration.

Therefore, Zhu Xiong Ying was quite familiar with his two cousins.

I received a courtesy greeting.

His aunt-in-law quickly took his hand and asked him a series of questions out of concern.

One hour later.

Empress Ma invited them to stay for a meal before the Lan family mother and daughter left the palace.

Wait until no one else is around.

Looking at her eldest grandson who was beside her, Empress Ma suddenly asked, "Xiong Ying, can you tell me for your grandmother whether your eleventh uncle and your aunt from the Lan family are a good match?"

really!

But it was clear that Grandmother had not yet made up her mind.

Considering the character and personality of Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu.

Although he and Zhu Gui didn't get along and he even beat Zhu Gui up last time, he didn't have any issues with Zhu Chun.

They had no intention of separating this loving couple.

While massaging Empress Ma's legs, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "In my opinion, my eleventh uncle is intelligent and learned, while my aunt is beautiful and talented. They are a perfect match..."

Hearing this, Empress Ma nodded in satisfaction, not forgetting to tease, "Now that Xiong Ying has grown up, what kind of wife does he want?"

Marry a virtuous wife, and take a beautiful concubine.

We want a harem of three thousand beauties!

Although that's what I thought in my heart.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying's words were sweeter than honey, saying, "My grandson's marriage is entirely up to Grandmother!"

"When the time comes, I will follow in my grandfather's footsteps and have a bunch of big, healthy sons, so they can also take good care of you..."

Thinking back over the years, her husband had taken in many concubines.

Empress Ma's phoenix eyes flickered as she glanced at her beloved grandson, seeing through his little scheme. She thought to herself, "This child doesn't learn the good things, but instead picks up Chongba's bad habits! However, having more children to carry on the family line is ultimately a good thing!"

She shook her head inwardly, then smiled and said, "Alright, alright, when Xiong Ying grows up, Grandma will personally pick a wife for you! Get ready to hold your great-grandson!"

"By the way, your grandfather has agreed to what Grandmother promised last time, but your father will need to help coordinate the follow-up implementation..."

"And your great-uncle and Uncle Mu are so thoughtful; they brought you some things especially for you. Don't forget to take a look later..."

Upon hearing the first sentence, Zhu Xiong Ying's mind settled.

The establishment of universities and workshops for skilled craftsmen was a major project for the benefit of the country and its people.

It is only natural to seek assistance from the Crown Prince's team of Biao'er's father!

However, right now, Old Zhu and Young Zhu are focusing their energy on the grain theft case.

If he really wants to take the lead in implementation, he'll have to do it himself!

After an incense stick has burned.

Zhu Xiong Ying hummed a cheerful tune as she returned to her palace.

By candlelight, two large boxes could be seen.

His eyes lit up immediately, but before he could reach out and open it...

A handsome young eunuch bowed from the side and said, "This servant, Ma He, greets Your Highness!"

"This box contains a bronze auspicious beast ornament, a bow for practicing archery with an ox horn... all gifts from the Marquis of Yongchang!"

"This box, containing a purple-tipped brush, Yunnan pine soot ink, and a red jade unicorn pendant... was a gift from the Marquis of Xiping!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's attention was originally focused on the gifts.

But upon hearing the name "Ma He," I suddenly felt it wasn't so appealing anymore!

Zheng He, the eunuch who served as Sanbao, was originally surnamed Ma.

During the Hongwu era, he was captured by the Ming army in the Yunnan campaign.

After returning to Yingtian Prefecture with Lan Yu, he began serving in the palace.

Afterwards, he went to Beiping with the army and was transferred to the Prince of Yan's residence!

During the Yongle era, he traveled to Southeast Asia, spreading the prestige of the Ming Dynasty!

Composing himself, Zhu Xiong Ying looked the young eunuch in front of him up again and asked, "Your name is Ma He? You look unfamiliar. When did you enter the palace? Do you have a nickname?"

The person in front of me was the eldest grandson of the emperor.

Ma He, slightly flustered but not daring to be negligent in the slightest, earnestly replied, "Your Highness, this servant returned to the capital with the victorious army and has only recently entered the palace. I am currently assigned to the inner treasury to await orders!"

"When we were outside the palace, I did have a nickname; people called me Sanbao!"

correct!

Everything matches up!

This Ma Sanbao must stay.

I'll follow him from now on, and together we'll build a mighty Ming Dynasty where the sun never sets...

Zhu Xiong Ying said, "San Bao, you will stay in Kun Ning Palace and work diligently by our side!"

"And tomorrow, we will inform the Empress Dowager; there's no need to worry about anything else!"

Is this a windfall?

How could someone be able to serve the imperial grandson?

Ma He was trembling with fear and trepidation. After regaining his composure, he bowed and said, "This servant thanks Your Highness!"